Disclaimer: Minor spelling, grammar, and other mistakes may be present.
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[Maiami Championship Arc Opening Theme (Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V Opening 2: Burn)]
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Scale 014: The Supreme King's Influence
The next evening…
Yuuji, Yuya, Yuzu, and Gongenzaka all stood outside of LDS Tower. Shuzo had just taken the younger You Show Students back home. Each of them had solemn expressions on their faces.
"What do you guys think?" Yuya suddenly spoke up. "Kurosaki is definitely the culprit who attacked LDS. I saw him defeat the Top Team with my own eyes. And Yuzu…"
"...I saw someone attack Masumi while she was pursuing the culprit," Yuzu said. "But…back when I asked Masumi about it, she said that Kurosaki was always their teammate."
"Their enemy is also their teammate?" Gongenzaka's eyes widened with surprise. "How does that make sense?"
"Maybe for now, but definitely not before. I could tell when I encountered him that his hatred of LDS is relentless," Yuuji frowned. "If what Yuzu is saying is true, Akaba Reiji probably has something to do with it."
Yuya's eyes widened, "You're saying…"
"Yeah," Yuuji nodded. "Kurosaki has probably made a deal with Reiji. And since Masumi and the others knew about Kurosaki already, they probably altered their memories to keep them quiet."
"Is such a thing even possible?" Yuzu asked, horrified.
"If it's LDS, probably," Yuuji replied. "It's horrible, but I can't blame them. It would be too much trouble for them to cover for Kurosaki if they didn't wipe their memories."
"But why would Kurosaki team up with the people that he hates so much?" Gongenzaka wondered.
"His friend Yuto said that he was attacking LDS to save his friends," Yuzu said.
"Yuto?" Yuuji was surprised. "You spoke with him?"
"You know him, too?" Yuzu was also surprised.
"I encountered him a while back," Yuuji said. "He was spouting a bunch of cryptic jargon like, 'these conflicts are beyond your comprehension', and 'knowing these conflicts will make you a target for the enemy, who won't hesitate to kill you.' Stuff that didn't make much sense to me at the time."
"That does sound like something he would say," Yuzu nodded. "He was also the one who attacked Sawatari back then."
"So this Yuto guy attacked Sawatari," Gongenzaka's eyes widened. "Why didn't you say anything at the time? You could've saved us a lot of trouble."
"I was just confused at the time. I…couldn't think straight," Yuzu replied.
"Confused about what? You knew the culprit," Gongenzaka continued. "Unless...did you think that Yuya was the culprit?"
"No, not at all!" Yuzu shook her head. "Yuya doesn't use Xyz, so it couldn't have been him."
"So it should've been obvious that—!"
"Easy there," Yuuji patted Gongenzaka's shoulder. "It's in the past. Let it go. I'm just as guilty as her since I figured out that it was Yuto at the time, but also didn't say anything."
"...You're right, I, the man Gongezaka, apologize," Gongenzaka apologized to Yuzu.
"Now back on track," Yuuji changed the subject. "As we know now, Yuto is somebody who looks just like me and Yuya. Now, it happening once could be chalked up to a coincidence. But twice? There was to be something more to it."
"You know…" Yuya addressed Yuuji. "I haven't thought about it much, but isn't it weird that we not only share the same face, but also a similar necklace, Ace Monster, and we both similarly unlocked Pendulum Summoning?"
"..." Yuuji blinked for a few seconds. "Maybe like a day after it happened, but ever since, no I haven't. But now that I think about it, that's way too many coincidences."
Yuuji fell into deep thought before remembering something.
"Hey Yuya, quick question," Yuuji suddenly asked. "Do you remember our duel a while back?"
"Yeah," Yuya nodded. "What about it?"
"Do you remember what happened when both of our dragons were on the field?"
Yuya thought about it for a moment before answering, "I felt this weird feeling in my chest when that happened. And…it was like the two dragons were calling out to each other."
"So our dragons are definitely connected. And since we seem to be connected to them, we're also…connected?" Yuuji tried to piece it all together. "I get that we're connected somehow, but as for the reason why? I have no idea."
"So that's a dead end," Yuya crossed his arms before noticing Yuzu staring at her bracelet. "What's wrong, Yuzu?"
"I was just thinking. Whenever my bracelet glows, Yuto seems to vanish and you appear," Yuzu replied. "But that doesn't happen with you and Yuuji."
"Could your bracelet be trying to keep Yuya and Yuto away from each other?" Yuuji proposed.
"Maybe."
"That would also raise the question, why? Why does your bracelet only glow when Yuya and Yuto are close to each other, and not with Yuya and me?" Yuuji wondered before rubbing his hair. "This is getting way too complicated for my brain to handle. I might lose my mind if I think about this anymore."
"I, the man Gongenzaka, have already tapped out ages ago," Gongenzaka said as steam left his ears, his brain working overtime to digest all of this information.
Suddenly, the four of them heard some commotion going on inside of LDS Tower.
"Find him!?" An LDS personnel asked.
"He's not over here!" Another personnel shouted.
"Where did he go?"
"I'll search over there!"
The personnel all split up to cover more ground.
"What's with the commotion?" Gongenzaka wondered.
"Don't know," Yuuji shrugged. "Maybe somebody broke in?"
A few moments later, the personnel all reconvene.
"He may have already gone outside." A personnel stated.
"Someone contact headquarters immediately and tell them that Shiunin Sora has escaped!" Another personnel instructed.
[Understood!] The other personnel shouted as they split up to complete their tasks.
Sora escaped? Why!? Yuuji's eyes widened at the news. Does he plan on going back for a rematch? He's still way too injured from his first duel against Kurosaki.
Yuzu made a quick phone call, contacting her father. After she finishes her phone call, she informs the group that her father is coming to help them search for Sora's whereabouts.
"Okay." Gongenzaka nodded. "Let's split up and search. I'll take the ocean."
[I'll go check Central Park!] Yuuji and Yuya said in unison, turning to each other. [No, I am! I said it first! Stop saying the same thing as me!]
The two stay quiet for a few moments before suddenly playing rock, paper, scissors.
[Rock, Paper, Scissors!]
A draw, they both played rock.
[Rock, Paper, Scissors!]
Another draw, they both played scissors.
[Rock…Paper…Scissors!]
…
"Dammit!" Yuuji cursed as he played rock into Yuya's paper.
"I'll go check Central Park," Yuya quickly sprinted away from the scene before Yuuji could say anything in response.
"Yuya…" Yuzu shook her head and sighed before she turned to Yuuji and Gongenzaka. "I'll go search in the opposite direction of him with my father."
After declaring where they would look, Yuzu and Gongenzaka leave the area, leaving Yuuji alone.
"I guess I'll go where nobody is looking, the city—!"
—BADUMP!
Yuuji's heart skipped a beat as he took a step forward. The silver pendulum necklace around his neck began to glow as it began floating.
"Huh? What the—ACK!"
The necklace began pulling Yuuji towards where Yuya had run off to.
"F-Fine! I'll go, jeez!"
Yuuji began making his way toward Central Park.
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Meanwhile…
Yuya and Yuto could be seen speaking to each other. Suddenly, a bright green light filled the surrounding area. When the light died down, a youth could be seen sitting on a white Duel Runner, with similarly colored gear. He took off his helmet and turned to the two of them, shocking both Yuto and Yuya who noticed that the youth had a similar face to them.
"There's…another person who looks like me," Yuya tensed up.
The newcomer cracked his knuckles as he directed his attention towards Yuto.
"We didn't finish our fight last time because others interfered," The newcomer stated before pointing at Yuto. "But if it's one-on-one, I won't lose! So duel me! I'll crush you and make you spill out where you're keeping Rin!"
"Fine. I'll duel you, Pawn of Fusion!" Yuto activated his duel disk in response.
Yuya's eyes widened at that, "Pawn of Fusion?"
"My name isn't 'Fusion!' It's Yugo! Get it right!"
(A/N: If you didn't already know, in Japanese his name sounds similar to the word "fusion", so people in the show get it confused a bunch. Not sure if I'll incorporate this gag much, but I might do it sometimes.)
Yugo's Duel Runner activated as he hopped on it. He placed his helmet over his head as he readied himself for the upcoming duel.
"Here I go!" Yugo revved up the engine of his Duel Runner as he began riding around the park. Soon after that, the duel begins.
[DUEL!] The two of them shout in unison.
Yuto — LP: 4000
Yugo — LP: 4000
"I'll go first and win! My turn!" Yugo declared as he leaped over a ramp. Yuto quickly moves out of the way as Yugo lands where he was. Yugo draws his first five cards as his turn begins.
[Turn 1: Yugo] [H: 5]
"When I control no monsters on my field, I can Special Summon Speedroid Terrortop (Wind/Machine/Effect/ATK: 1200/DEF: 600/LV: 3) from my hand!" Yugo declared as a group of red, floating beigomas appeared. "Next, I activate the effect of the Tuner Monster, Speedroid CarTurbo in my hand! When I control a WIND Monster, I can Special Summon it from my hand as well!"
A floating engine with a body shaped similarly to a card appeared.
[Speedroid CarTurbo (Wind/Machine/Tuner/Effect/ATK: 800/DEF: 1200/LV: 3)]
Yugo then extends his hand as he drifts with his Duel Runner.
"The Level 3 Speedroid CarTurbo tunes the Level 3 Speedroid Terrortop!"
The riding duelist's monsters transform into green rings and orbs respectively, lining up together as a pillar of bright green light shot through its center.
"Magical sword with the form of a cross. Use your power to rend all enemies!" Yugo chanted. "I Synchro Summon! Appear now, Level 6! Hi-Speedroid Kendama (Wind/Machine/Synchro/Effect/ATK: 2200/DEF: 1600/LV: 6)!"
A blue-coated machine in the shape of a kendama toy on its side appeared.
"A Synchro Summon?" Yuya was perplexed. "But wasn't the summoning method that Yuto's enemies specialize in Fusion?"
"I activate Hi-Speedroid Kendama's effect!" Yugo announced. "Once per turn, I can banish a 'Speedroid' Monster in my graveyard to deal 500 points of damage to you! I banish Speedroid Terrortop to activate its effect!"
Yugo sends a card from his graveyard to his Banish Zone. At the same time, his Synchro Monster shoots a blast of blue energy at Yuto, who rolls out of the way before the attack hits him head-on. The attack explodes the ground nearby, creating a shockwave that causes Yuto to wince a bit.
Yuto — LP: 4000 → 3500
"I set one card and end my turn!" Yugo concluded with a face down before revving up his engine and accelerating around the center of the park.
"My turn! Draw!" Yuto drew a card and began his turn.
[Turn 2: Yuto] [H: 6]
"I summon The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves (Dark/Warrior/Effect/ATK: 1000/DEF: 500/LV: 3)!" A floating armored spirit with giant gloves appeared. "Next, I activate the effect of The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots in my hand, allowing me to Special Summon it when I control a 'The Phantom Knights' Monster!"
A spirit wearing a leather cloak and boots appeared on Yuto's field.
[The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots (Dark/Warrior/Effect/ATK: 200/DEF: 1200/LV: 3)]
"Now, with my two Level 3 The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves and Silent Boots, I build the Overlay Network!"
A galaxy vortex appeared in front of Yuto as his aforementioned monsters turned into purple energies that were then absorbed into the vortex. A massive pillar of light shot out from the portal's center as Yuto began chanting.
"The souls of the fallen knights on the battlefield, resurrect and become the light that cuts through the darkness!" Yuto chanted. "I Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 3! The Phantom Knights of Break Sword (Dark/Warrior/Xyz/Effect/ATK: 2000/DEF: 1000/R: 3/OU: 2)!"
A headless, humanoid, armored monster on top of a metallic mount, with a giant greatsword in its hand and blue flames erupting from the open sections of its body, appeared on Yuto's field. Surrounding its body were two Overlay Units.
"When an Xyz Monster is summoned using The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves, it gains 1000 ATK until the End Phase of this turn!" Yuto declared as his monster was powered up.
(Break Sword — ATK: 2000 → 3000)
"Battle!" Yuto moved into his Battle Phase. "The Phantom Knights of Break Sword attacks Hi-Speedroid Kendama!"
"Not so fast!" Yugo shouted as his set card was flipped face-up. "I activate my Trap Card, Speed Turn! When this card is activated, I can target 1 monster on your field, change it to defense mode, and reduce its DEF by 500!"
Break Sword stops in its tracks, taking a more defensive position as a faint blue aura appears around it.
(Break Sword — DEF: 1000 → 500)
"Tch," Yuto clicked his tongue. He then took out three cards from his hand and set them all. "I set three cards and pass."
(Break Sword — ATK: 3000 → 2000)
"You're going to have to try harder than that if you want to beat me!" Yugo shouted. "My turn! Draw!"
Yugo began his next turn.
[Turn 3: Yugo] [H: 3]
"I summon Speedroid Pachingo-Kart (Wind/Machine/Effect/ATK: 1800/DEF: 1000/LV: 4)!" A sleek, futuristic kart with spinning gears and a pachinko-inspired front appeared on Yugo's field. "When this card is Normal Summoned, I can target 1 monster on your field and destroy it! This card won't be able to attack during the Battle Phase of this turn, but it's a worthy price to pay as I use its effect to destroy your The Phantom Knights of Break Sword!"
"Naive!" Yuto shouted, surprising Yugo. One of his set cards is flipped face-up. "I activate the effect of my Phantom Knights' Wings. I can prevent the destruction of my Break Sword, as well as increase its ATK by an additional 500!"
(Break Sword — ATK: 2000 → 2500)
"So what if your monster's ATK grew stronger, as long as it's in defense mode, raising its ATK won't matter! Battle!" Yugo drifted as he moved into his Battle Phase. "Hi-Speedroid Kendama attacks Break Sword!"
The machine kendama shoots another blue energy blast, this time aiming for Yuto's monster.
"Trap Card, Open!" Yuto shouted as another one of his set cards is flipped face-up. "Phantom Knights of Fog Blade! When this card is activated, I can target 1 monster on your field and prevent it from attacking. However, in exchange, I can't target that monster for attacks either. I choose to target your Hi-Speedroid Kendama with this effect!"
A phantom blade appeared from the Trap Card, slashing through Kendama and holding it in place with its power.
Yugo comes to a stop and frowns.
"I can't do anything else this turn," Yugo stated. "Turn end."
Yuto is managing to hold that guy off pretty well. Yuya thought. But I still don't get why the two are dueling each other.
"I draw!" Yuto drew a card as he began his turn.
[Turn 4: Yuto] [H: 2]
Yuto took a moment to look at the cards he drew before continuing.
"I activate the Spell Card, Phantom Breaker!" Yuto declared. "When I control a 'The Phantom Knights' Monster, I can target 1 monster on your field and destroy it! I choose to destroy Hi-Speedroid Kendama!"
A ball of purple energy is shot out from the Spell Card, hitting the Synchro Monster head-on and destroying it. Yugo winces from the shockwaves of the action.
"Next, I summon The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm (Dark/Warrior/Effect/ATK: 1500/DEF: 500/LV: 4)!"
A spirit wearing a broken knight's helmet appeared.
"I change The Phantom Knights of Break Sword back to attack mode."
Yuto stated as the faint blue aura around his Xyz Monster disappeared.
"Battle!" Yuto then moved into his Battle Phase. "The Phantom Knights of Break Sword attacks Speedroid Pachingo-Kart!"
The headless horseman charges forward, raising its greatsword as it attempts to slash down on Yugo's monster.
"I activate the effect of Speedroid CarTurbo in my graveyard!" Yugo countered. "By banishing it along with the Hi-Speedroid Kendama in my graveyard, I can increase the ATK of all WIND Monsters on my field by 800 until the End Phase!"
(Speedroid Pachingo-Kart — ATK: 1800 → 2600)
(Break Sword — ATK: 2500)
As Break Sword swings its sword down on Pachingo-Kart, the monster spins out of the way before darting through the headless horseman, destroying it.
Yuto — LP: 3500 → 3400
"When Break Sword is destroyed, I can Special Summon the materials used to summon it back onto my field as Level 4 Monsters," Yuto stated as his monsters reappeared on his field with faint blue auras surrounding them.
[The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves (ATK: 1000/DEF: 500/LV: 3 → 4)]
[The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots (ATK: 200/DEF: 1200/LV: 3 → 4)]
"I end my turn," Yuto concluded his turn after that.
(Speedroid Pachingo-Kart — ATK: 2600 → 1800)
"Then it's my turn! Draw!" Yugo drew a card as he began his turn.
[Turn 5: Yugo] [H: 3]
"From my hand, I summon the Tuner Monster, Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice (Wind/Machine/Tuner/Effect/ATK: 100/DEF: 100/LV: 1)!"
A floating yellow six-sided dice with red orbs surrounding it appeared.
"When this monster is Normal Summoned, I can declare a Level from 2 to 6 and make another monster on my field's Level equal to the chosen Level. I choose to change Speedroid Pachingo-Kart's Level to 6!" Yugo declared.
(Speedroid Pachingo-Kart — LV: 4 → 6)
"The Level 1 Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice tunes the now Level 6 Speedroid Pachingo-Kart!"
Yugo's monsters transform into green rings and orbs respectively, lining up as a green pillar of light shot through its center.
"Spread those wondrous and beautiful wings, and strike down your enemies at the speed of light!" Yugo chanted. "I Synchro Summon! Appear now, Level 7! Clear Wing Synchro Dragon (Wind/Dragon/Synchro/Effect/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000/LV: 7)!"
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Yuuji stopped in his tracks as a sharp pain appeared in his chest.
"Gah!" Yuuji clutched his chest. "What is happening?"
This feeling...it was the same one that he felt when he saw Yuto duel Ryouga. However, unlike that time, it was a much more painful feeling.
It hurts so bad. Yuuji thought. I-I can't think straight.
Yuuji took out his deck, which was glowing, pulling out the source of the light, Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon. He stared deeply into it for a few seconds before putting it back into his deck.
"I…I have to get to the park," Yuuji said as he began running off.
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A magnificent dragon adorned in gleaming white and blue scales, with crystal-green wings flaring from its back, appeared on Yugo's field. Simultaneously, Yuya, Yuto, and Yugo all began clutching their chests.
"Ack!" Yuya fell to his knees. "I-It hurts."
"Guh!" Yuto clutched his chest as he stared at the newly summoned dragon.
Yugo seemed to be in the least pain, only feeling mildly distressed.
"I activate the Spell Card, Shock Surprise!" Yugo continued his turn. "By banishing 1 monster from my graveyard, I can destroy 1 monster on your field! I banish Red-Eyed Dice to destroy your The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves!"
Ragged Gloves is destroyed by the effect, causing Yuto to wince.
"Battle!" Yugo shouted as Clear Wing Synchro Dragon flew into the air, its wings beginning to glow. "Clear Wing Synchro Dragon attacks The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm! Whirlwind Hell Dive Slasher!"
Clear Wing soars into the air, a green air current being formed as it dived down towards Yuto's monster.
"…I activate the effect of The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring!" Yuto declared as his final set card was flipped face-up. "When an attack is declared, I can negate it and Special Summon this card as a monster!"
[The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring (Dark/Warrior/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 2)]
A cloaked monster holding a metallic ring appeared on Yuto's field. It used the ring in its hand to form a barrier that protected Yuto and his monsters from Clear Wing Synchro Dragon's attack.
"Tch," Yugo clicked his tongue. "I end my turn."
"My turn! Draw!" Yuto drew a card as his turn began.
[Turn 6: Yuto] [H: 1]
"Using the Level 4 The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm and my now Level 4 The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots, I build the Overlay Network!" Yuto announced.
As Yuto's monsters are absorbed into a galaxy vortex in front of him, Yuuji appears.
Dammit, I'm too late! Yuuji thought.
A massive pillar of light shot out from the galaxy vortex, the ground around them beginning to shake as Yuto began chanting.
"Formed from pitch-black darkness, to fight those foolish enough to oppose it with its treacherous fangs!" Yuto chanted, the tone of his voice turning more menacing by the second. "I Xyz Summon! Now descend, Rank 4! Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Xyz/Effect/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000/R: 4/OU: 2)!"
Appearing on Yuto's field was a menacing dragon with dark purple scales, silver spikes, and sharp wings, with a red core at its center plated in armor. At the same time, Yuto and Yugo's eyes began to glow.
The pain in all four of their chests doubled instantly upon the summoning of Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon. Yuya let out an agonizing scream as a dark aura began bursting out from within him. Yugo and Yuto let out similarly agonizing screams. Yuuji didn't let out his own scream like the three of them, but a menacing dark aura could be seen flowing out of him periodically.
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Meanwhile, at LDS Tower's Control Room…
Yuga was currently being held down by several personnel, including Nakajima. He let out pained screams as he tried to break out of their grip on him. Shizuka was frozen in horror upon seeing her suffering friend.
"Yuga…" Shizuka muttered.
Reiji had a nervous expression on his face as he turned to the security personnel working at the control panels.
"Have you managed to recover the feed of Central Park?" Reiji asked.
"Yes, President!" One of the personnel answered. "We've managed to get a drone to fly over Central Park. We're pulling up the feed now."
The giant monitor in front of them changed, displaying footage from Central Park. Reiji's eyes widened in shock when he saw what was happening. Four boys with similar faces to Yuga were all similarly clutching their chests.
"Yuto!" Shun shouted upon seeing his friend suffering on the feed. He turned to one of the personnel working on the panel. "What happened to him!?"
"W-We don't know, sir—"
"Well then, figure it out!" Shun shouted.
Reiji grimaced. He had never seen a phenomenon like this before.
Just what the hell is going on? Reiji wondered.
The screen feed suddenly went static.
"What happened?" Shun asked. "Why did the feed cut out?"
"W-We don't know, sir."
"Fix it. I swear if something happens to Yuto, I'll turn you into a card myself!"
"R-Right!"
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Meanwhile, in the Fusion Dimension…
In an empty hallway at Academia, a youth could be seen leaning on a wall while clutching his chest as a faint dark aura emanated from his body. He had short purple hair and wore a similarly colored uniform. The most distinctive feature of him was his face, which looked similar to the five youths who were currently going berserk.
"This feeling…" The youth muttered before beginning to laugh. "It feels amazing! I've never felt such a pleasurable thing before!"
In his hand was a glowing Monster Card, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon.
"You're excited too, right?" The youth spoke to his monster. "I'm sure you want to go over there and feast on them now, don't you? Don't worry, we'll be able to soon enough."
Suddenly, three men in blue uniforms appeared, one of them calling out to the youth.
"Yuri-sama, what are you still doing there? The Professor is waiting!"
"Way to ruin the mood," Yuri rolled his eyes. "If I weren't just feeling so good, I wouldn't hesitate to card you fools," Yuri sighed before walking past them. "This meeting better be worth my time."
The three men in blue followed shortly behind him, the four of them disappearing into the darkness.
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Nearby, within two towers that stood much higher than the rest of Academia, two different girls with similar faces could be seen looking at their bracelets, which were pulsing every few seconds. One of them had long, dark purple hair, while the other had short green hair.
"Yuto…" "Yugo…" The two girls muttered, worried expressions present on their faces.
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Back to the duel…
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon and Clear Wing Synchro Dragon began roaring at each other, an action that spiked the pain in the teens' chests. Countless unfamiliar memories began flooding into Yuuji's head, to the point where he felt like his head would burst. His vision began fading in and out, but he kept his focus locked on the duel.
"Zarc…" Yuuji muttered randomly.
"The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring's effect activates!" Yuto declared as he continued his turn. "By tributing it along with my Continuous Trap, Phantom Knights' Fog Blade, I can draw two cards from my deck!"
Yuto proceeded to draw two cards.
"Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon's effect now activates!" Yuto shouted. "By detaching one Overlay Unit, it can lower the ATK of a Level 5 or higher monster on the field by half, and gain that lost ATK! Treason Discharge!"
(Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon — OU: 2 → 1)
Dark Rebellion's wings expand, shooting a wave of electricity towards Clear Wing.
"Naive!" Yugo shouted. "When a Level 5 or higher monster is targeted by an effect, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon's effect activates! The effect is negated, and the monster that used that effect is destroyed! Furthermore, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon gains ATK equal to that of the destroyed monster until the End Phase! Dichroic Mirror!"
Clear Wing begins to glow, its light enveloping Dark Rebellion completely.
"When a DARK Monster I control would be destroyed by an effect, I can discard The Phantom Knights of Hollowed Shield (Dark/Warrior/Effect/ATK: 600/DEF: 1700/LV: 4) from my hand and negate my dragon's destruction!" Yuto shouted. "And since my monster wasn't destroyed, the rest of your effect doesn't resolve!"
A shield formed around Dark Rebellion, protecting it from Clear Wing's effect.
"Tch," Yugo clicked his tongue.
Two face-down cards appear on Yuto's field.
"I set two cards and end my turn," Yuto concluded.
"Then it's my turn! Draw—!"
"My turn! Draw!" Yuuji suddenly interrupted. His grey eyes could be seen glowing.
[Turn 7: Yuuji] [H: 6]
[Intrusion Penalty. 2000 Life Points.]
Yuuji didn't even react as he was zapped by his duel disk.
Yuuji — LP: 4000 → 2000
"You…" 'Yugo?'s eyes narrowed. "You shouldn't be here."
"You can't be allowed to return, brother," 'Yuuji?' stated. "This world doesn't deserve the fate of the previous one."
"And what do you plan on doing about it?" 'Yugo?' inquired. "The last time we dueled, I killed you and absorbed your power."
"You're nowhere near as strong as you once were," 'Yuuji?' closed his eyes. "And while I am nowhere near as strong as I used to be, I'm still strong enough to take you down."
"Are you?" 'Yugo?' grinned.
—BADUMP!
"Gah!" 'Yuuji?' clutched his chest.
"You're also a piece of me now, brother," 'Yugo?' stated. "Unlike back then, I have control over you."
"D-Dammit…" 'Yuuji?' gritted his teeth.
"I don't need your memories intact. Go to sleep now, brother. Forever."
Yuuji suddenly spat out blood as he dropped to his knees. His eyes stopped glowing as he returned to normal.
"What the hell…" Yuuji clutched his head. "What happened?"
He blacked out for a moment. The last thing he remembered, he had just shown up to see Yuto dueling against somebody else.
Yuuji got back up on his feet before looking at his hand and noticed that his duel disk was activated.
"I'm…dueling?" Yuuji's eyes widened in surprise.
"Are you going to make a move or not!?" Yugo shouted, his eyes still glowing.
"Oh right…" Yuuji nodded as he looked over his hand. "I don't get what's happening right now, but I have a gut feeling that I should act."
Yuuji's expression turned serious as he revealed two cards in his hand.
"I set the Pendulum Scale with the Scale 1 Antique Mimic Chest and the Scale 8 Odd-Eyes Sparking Dragon!" Yuuji declared as he placed the cards on opposite ends of his Pendulum Scale. The word [PENDULUM] appeared between them in rainbow font as a chest with razor-sharp teeth and a yellow-scaled dragon with horns shaped like lightning bolts rose into each of his Pendulum Zones. The numbers 1 and 8 appeared on the scale in a strange golden font as a giant pendulum swung above them.
"Pendulum?" Yugo raised an eyebrow.
"I first activate Odd-Eyes Sparking Dragon's Pendulum Effect," Yuuji stated. "Once per turn, I can add an 'Odd-Eyes' Card from my deck to my hand! I add Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon to my hand!"
Yuuji drew a card from his deck. Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon could be seen glowing brightly in his hand.
You want to fight, right? Yuuji nodded. Got it. I'll bring you out now.
Yuuji's pendulum necklace began to glow.
"With my currently set Pendulum Scale, I can Pendulum Summon monsters Levels 2 through 7 all at the same time!" Yuuji declared. "Shine, Pendulum of Destiny! Draw an arc across the ether, and reflect onto me a path to victory! I Pendulum Summon! Come forth, my faithful companions!"
A portal appeared above Yuuji as three beams of energy shot out from it.
"From my hand, Antique Crescent Breeze (Light/Fairy/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 5/SC: 7) in defense mode! Antique Maker - Mira (Dark/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 2000/DEF: 100/LV: 5/SC: 8) and dragon bearing my very soul, Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000/LV: 7/SC: 4)!"
An ice blade with a silver hilt, a woman in all black holding a mirror in her hands, and a purple-scaled dragon with bone-like armor appeared on Yuuji's field.
Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon began roaring at both Clear Wing Synchro Dragon and Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon, who both roared back hatefully. Yuuji doubled forward as the pain in his chest spiked. Yuto, Yuya, and Yugo also clutch their chests in pain.
Shit… Yuuji thought as he noticed their suffering. I need to end this fast.
"Antique Maker - Mira's effect activates upon its summon," Yuuji stated. "When it is summoned, I can add 1 'Antique' Card from my deck to my hand—!"
"Naive!" Yugo cut him off. "Clear Wing Synchro Dragon's effect activates! When a Level 5 or higher monster activates an effect, it can negate that effect, destroy that monster, and gain ATK equal to that monster's ATK! Dichroic Mirror!"
Clear Wing Synchro Dragon begins to glow, its light enveloping and destroying Antique Maker - Mira.
(Clear Wing Synchro Dragon — ATK: 2500 → 4500)
"That's a nasty effect," Yuuji grimaced. "But I'm not done yet. I activate the Spell Card, Equivalent Exchange! By tributing 1 monster on my field, I can target 1 monster on your field and destroy it! I tribute Antique Crescent Breeze to destroy your Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!"
Both Clear Wing and Yuuji's Antique Monster were destroyed.
Yuuji then points to Yugo, "Battle! Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon attacks you directly! Phantom Spiral Breath!"
Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon shoots a breath of purple flames at Yugo, who drives away right before the attack hits him. The flames explode upon contact with the ground, creating shockwaves that cause Yugo to wince.
Yugo — LP: 4000 → 1500
"I set one card and end my turn," Yuuji concluded with a face down.
"I'll make you pay for that!" Yugo shouted. "My turn! Draw!"
[Turn 8: Yugo] [H: 2]
Yugo looked at the card he drew and smirked.
"I activate Pot of Greed!" Yugo announced. "Thanks to its effect, I get to draw 2 cards!"
Yugo drew two cards.
"I activate Monster Reborn, Special Summoning Clear Wing Synchro Dragon (ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000/LV: 7) back onto my field!"
The massive white dragon with green gem-like wings appeared once again.
"Next, I summon Speedroid Razorang (Wind/Machine/Effect/ATK: 2000/DEF: 0/LV: 4)!"
A floating monster with a yellow body and arms that looked like they could be connected together appeared.
"I now activate Speedroid Razorang's effect!" Yugo declared. "Once per turn, I can target 1 monster on the field, change it to defense position, and decrease its ATK by 300! I choose to target Clear Wing Synchro Dragon with this effect!"
"You're targeting your own monster?" Yuuji's eyes widened in surprise.
"I chain Clear Wing Synchro Dragon's effect!" Yugo continued. "When a Level 5 or higher monster is targeted by a monster effect, I can negate that effect, destroy that monster, and have Clear Wing gain the destroyed monster's ATK! Dichroic Mirror!"
Yugo destroys his monster with his dragon's effect. At the same time, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon powers up.
(Clear Wing Synchro Dragon — ATK: 2500 → 4500)
"So that's why. Not good…" Yuuji grimaced.
"Time to finish off the weakest link! Battle!" Yugo moved into his Battle Phase. "Clear Wing Synchro Dragon attacks Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon! Whirlwind Hell Dive Slasher!"
Clear Wing Synchro Dragon soars into the air, a green current of air surrounding it as it dives down towards Phantom Dragon, threatening to destroy it.
"I activate my Trap Card, Mirror Barrier!" Yuuji declared as his set card is flipped face-up. "When my opponent declares an attack, that attack is negated!"
A barrier formed around Yuuji and Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon, protecting them from Clear Wing Synchro Dragon's attack.
"Tch," Yugo clicked his tongue. "I set one card and end my turn."
(Clear Wing Synchro Dragon — ATK: 4500 → 2500)
A face-down card appeared on Yugo's field.
"Then it's my turn! Draw!" Yuto drew a card and began his turn.
[Turn 9: Yuto] [H: 1]
"I activate Dragon Lance's effect, equipping it to Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon!" Yuto announced as a black lance appeared in Dark Rebellion's hand. "A monster equipped with this card gains 500 ATK!"
(Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon — ATK: 2500 → 3000)
Yuto turned his attention to Yuuji as Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon soared into the air. When he did that, Yuuji tried to speak to him.
"Hey Yuto, snap out of it!" Yuuji shouted.
"Battle!" Yuto ignored Yuuji's attempt to call out to him. "Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon attacks Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon! Lightning Disobey of Rebellion!"
Dark Rebellions flies down, piercing through Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon with the lance in its hand.
"Furthermore, when a Dragon-type Monster equipped with Dragon Lance destroys a monster through battle, the owner of the destroyed monster takes 1000 points of damage!"
The attack creates an explosion, which sends Yuuji tumbling back.
Yuuji — LP: 2000 → 500
"Gah!" Yuto clutched his chest, screaming out in pain.
Yuuji struggled back onto his feet, attempting to use this moment to try and reach Yuto.
"Remember what you're fighting for, Yuto! You're trying to save your friends!" Yuuji shouted. "What would Shun or Rio think of this!? You need to get a hold of yourself!"
"Shun…Rio…" Yuto muttered their names, his eyes returning to normal for a brief moment.
"Yeah, that's it. Remember it," Yuuji smiled. "You can't let yourself be taken over by the darkness within you while you still have a mission to fulfill."
"I…end my turn," Yuto ended his turn. "Guh!"
Yuto clutched his chest before he let out another pained scream, his eyes began to glow once again as the darkness leaking out of him surged.
Damn. It looks like words alone won't be enough to stop this. Yuuji grimaced as he turned to Yuya, who was still screaming out in pain on the sidelines. I have to end this duel now.
Yuuji placed his hand over his deck.
"My turn! Draw!" Yuuji drew a card as his turn began.
[Turn: 10: Yuuji] [H: 1]
However, as he took a moment to look at what he drew, he paused. The image of a new monster appears in his mind. However, unlike the other times when this happened, it felt different. Like he had just remembered that he had a monster like it.
"Using my currently set Pendulum Scale, I can summon monsters Levels 2 through 7 all at the same time!" Yuuji declared. "Shine, Pendulum of Destiny! Draw an arc across the ether, and reflect onto me a path to victory! I Pendulum Summon! Return from my Extra Deck, Antique Maker - Mira (ATK: 2000/DEF: 100/LV: 5), Antique Crescent Breeze (ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 5), and Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon (ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000/LV: 7)!"
Yuuji's destroyed monsters return to his field.
"The same monsters again?" Yugo frowned. "Just like before, that won't work!"
"I don't do the same thing twice," Yuuji stated as his pendulum necklace began swinging back and forth, glowing even brighter now. "Antique Mimic Chest's Pendulum Effect activates! I can make the Level of one monster on my field equal to that of another monster. I choose to make Antique Crescent Breeze's Level equal to Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon's Level!"
(Antique Crescent Breeze — LV: 5 → 7)
(Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon — LV: 7)
"I overlay the Level 7 Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon together with the now Level 7 Antique Crescent Breeze!" Yuuji declared.
His two monsters turn into purple energies as a galaxy vortex appears in front of him. The energies are then absorbed into the vortex as a massive pillar of light shoots out from the portal's center.
"Cruel black dragon relentless in its destruction. I now call upon the emanator of annihilation!" Yuuji chanted. "I Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 7! Dark Anthelion Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Xyz/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500/R: 7/SC: 10/OU: 2)!"
A massive black dragon with silver metallic armor that covered countless parts of its body, with massive jagged wings, long metallic horns, and a singular metallic tusk, appeared on Yuuji's field. Surrounding it were two Overlay Units.
"I activate Dark Anthelion Dragon's effect!" Yuuji announced. "By detaching one Overlay Unit, I can halve the ATK of one monster on the field, and grant that ATK to a monster on my field! I choose to target Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon with this effect! Static Void!"
(Dark Anthelion Dragon — OU: 2 → 1)
Dark Anthelion Dragon's wings began to glow, as blue electricity was shot out from it, wrapping around Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon and sapping away its strength.
(Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon — ATK: 3000 → 1500)
(Dark Anthelion Dragon — ATK: 3000 → 4500)
"Since both Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon and Dark Anthelion Dragon are Xyz Monsters, they're unaffected by Clear Wing Synchro Dragon's effect," Yuuji stated with a smile. "Next, I equip Power Reboot to Dark Anthelion Dragon!"
Circuits begin appearing all throughout Dark Anthelion Dragon's body.
"Thanks to this Equip Spell, Dark Anthelion Dragon can attack twice during each Battle Phase!" Yuuji declared.
[Twice!?] The possessed Yugo and Yuto both cried out in unison.
"Now here comes the climax!" Yuuji declared as he pumped his fist forward. "Dark Anthelion Dragon attacks Clear Wing Synchro Dragon! Dark Annihilation!"
Dark Anthelion Dragon rises into the air, using its power to create a giant ball of dark energy that it then hurls towards Clear Wing Synchro Dragon, hitting it head-on and destroying it.
However, much to Yuuji's surprise, Yugo began laughing.
[Current Theme Playing:Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V Sound Duel 3 OST 16 - A Battle Beyond Imagining]
"Of course, you would come up with something like this even without your memories, brother," 'Yugo?' commented, a dark aura flaring up around him as his set card was flipped face-up. "However, this time your ingenuity won't work! I activate my Trap Card, Supreme King Vengeance! If a 'Supreme King Dragon' I control was destroyed by battle, I can negate all battle damage from that attack and Special Summon the destroyed monster back to my field with 1500 extra ATK! Arise, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon (ATK: 2500 → 4000/DEF: 2000/LV: 7)!"
Clear Wing emerges from a portal that appeared in front of 'Yugo?'.
"Furthermore, when this card's effect resolves, all other cards on the field are destroyed, and the turn player takes 500 damage for each card destroyed by this effect!" 'Yugo?' announced.
"What!?" Yuuji cried out in shock.
All of the cards on Yuuji's field, along with Yuto's set cards and his equip spell, were destroyed.
"Dragon Lance tributes itself to protect the monster it's equipped to from one instance of destruction," Yuto stated as Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon remained on the field.
"Seven Cards were destroyed in total by this effect, so you take 3500 points of damage!" 'Yugo?' declared. "Fall!"
Clear Wing Synchro Dragon soars into the air, glowing brightly as it dives down towards Yuuji.
Shit! I can't avoid this! Yuuji's eyes widened.
Clear Wing Synchro Dragon fives into the ground near him, creating an explosion from the impact that sends him flying into a tree.
—THUD!
"GAH!" Yuuji felt the air leave his lungs from the impact, his eyes rolling back as his consciousness waned—his Life Points being reduced to zero.
Yuuji — LP: 500 → 0
—Thud!
Yuuji collapsed to the ground, completely unconscious. At the same time, the dark aura surrounding Yugo settling down a little.
"Now for you!" Yugo wasted no time, turning his attention to Yuto. "My turn! Draw!"
(Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon — ATK: 1500 → 2500)
Yugo began his turn.
[Turn 11: Yugo] [H: 1]
"I activate the Spell Card, Speed Recovery, Special Summoning 1 'Speedroid' Monster from my graveyard!" Yugo declared. "Return for battle, Speedroid Razorang (ATK: 2000/DEF: 0/LV: 4)!"
The machine monster with yellow arms that could connect to form a boomerang reappeared on Yugo's field.
"I activate Razorang's effect once again, targeting Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!" Yugo announced. "At the same time, I activate Clear Wing Synchro Dragon's effect, negating Razorang's effect, destroying it, and adding its ATK points to Clear Wing Synchro Dragon! Dichroic Mirror!"
Making use of the same play he used against Yuuji earlier, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon powers up once again.
(Clear Wing Synchro Dragon — ATK: 4000 → 6000)
"Now to finish you! Battle!" Yugo moved into his Battle Phase. "Clear Wing Synchro Dragon attacks Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon! Whirlwind Hell Dive Slasher!"
Clear Wing Synchro Dragon soars into the air, a current of green air surrounding it as it dives down towards Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon, who flies up to meet it. The two dragons clash in the air for a few moments before Clear Wing eventually overpowers Dark Rebellion, destroying it and sending Yuto flying away towards Yuya—his Life Points dropping to zero.
Yuto — LP: 3400 → 0
Winner: Yugo
[BGM (Background Music) Ends Here.]
The pain in Yuya's chest and head suddenly stopped, allowing him a chance to think rationally for the first time since Yuto and Yugo summoned their dragons. When he came to, he was surprised to see not only Yuto nearly unconscious nearby, but also Yuuji, who was actually unconscious.
"Yuto, Yuuji!" Yuya called out as he first rushed to Yuto, who was the closest to him.
Suddenly, a dome of bright white light surrounded the two of them, surprising Yuya.
"What's this?" Yuya wondered.
Yuto opened his eyes. Digging into his pocket, he pulled out Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon which was glowing brightly, showing it to Yuya.
"Here…take it," Yuto said.
"Huh? But that's your monster. Why are you giving it to me?" Yuya asked.
"I'm not really sure myself," Yuto admitted. "But one thing I do know is that I'm running out of time."
"Don't say something like that!" Yuya shouted. "If you're hurt, I can just bring you to the hospital."
"..." Yuto just smiled. "Make people smile with your dueling. It's what I and Dark Rebellion would've wanted."
"Hey, why are you talking like you're about to die?" Yuya frowned. "I still have so many more things to ask you. You can't die on me now!"
"If you find him, tell Shun that I'll be heading out first."
Yuto's hand dropped as he closed his eyes one final time. His body began to glow, blinding Yuya.
"Wait, don't go. Yuto. YUTO!" Yuya yelled as everything went white.
A few moments later…
Yuzu arrived at Central Park. A few moments earlier, his bracelet began glowing again, signaling that Yuto and Yuya were probably nearby. However, all she could find was an unconscious Yuuji along with Yuya, who could be seen blankly staring at the sky.
"Yuya?" Yuzu's eyes widened in surprise.
—THUD!
Yuya fell to the ground, losing consciousness.
"Yuya!" Yuzu rushed over to her friend. She began shaking him. "Hey, Yuya. Wake up. What happened? Was Yuto here?"
No response. She was sure that she kept trying for a good five minutes, but she got nothing. Yuzu quickly pulled out her phone, calling her father to tell him about what happened.
<><><><><><><><><><>
At LDS Tower…
A few hours have passed since the incident. Reiji sat alone in his office, deep in thought. In his hand was a certain file left by his father.
"That makes six boys with the same face…" Reiji thought. "Including this boy, whom my father made a file on."
All of this was no coincidence. They were all connected in some way.
"Not to mention, three girls with similar faces as well, with all of them being near these similar-looking boys," Reiji assessed as he looked at the other individual in his father's file, who looked just like Hiiragi Yuzu and Shizuka. "This also can't be a coincidence."
However, he couldn't quite pin down what their connection was. Something like this had never happened before as far as he knew.
And this fact concerned him. He hated dealing with things that he did not know about.
I'll have to look into this further. Reiji thought.
<><><><><><><><><><>
Custom/Altered Cards:
Monster Card/s-
The Phantom Knights of Hollowed Shield
ATK: 600, DEF: 1700, LV: 4
Dark/Warrior/Effect
Monster Effect: (Quick Effect): When a DARK monster you control is targeted by a monster effect that would destroy it, you can discard this card; that monster cannot be destroyed by that effect.
Dark Anthelion Dragon
ATK: 3000, DEF: 2500, R: 7, SC: 10
Dark/Dragon/Xyz/Pendulum/Effect
2 Level 7 Monsters
Pendulum Effect: Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; halve its original ATK until the end of this turn (even if this card leaves the field).
Monster Effect: If you can Pendulum Summon Level 7 monsters, you can Pendulum Summon this face-up card in your Extra Deck. Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can detach 1 material from this card, then target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; until the end of this turn, its ATK becomes half its current ATK, and if it does, one monster on your field gains that lost ATK. If this card in the Monster Zone is destroyed by battle or card effect: You can place this card in your Pendulum Zone.
Spell/Trap Card/s-
Phantom Breaker
Normal Spell
If you control a "The Phantom Knights" Monster, target 1 monster on your opponent's field; destroy it.
Equivalent Exchange
Normal Spell
Tribute 1 monster on your field; target 1 monster on your opponent's field, destroy it.
Dragon Lance
Equip Spell
The equipped monster gains 500 ATK. If a Dragon monster equipped with this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle, inflict 1000 damage to your opponent. If the equipped monster would be destroyed by battle, you can send this card to the Graveyard instead.
Supreme King's Vengeance
Counter Trap
If a "Supreme King Dragon" monster you control is destroyed by battle: Negate all battle damage you would take from that battle, then Special Summon the destroyed monster to your field, and if you do, it gains 1500 ATK. After this effect resolves, destroy all other cards on the field, then the turn player takes 500 damage for each card destroyed this way.
<><><><><><><><><><>
Okay, that was a lot, I'm sure. Some of you might want a bit of an explanation for what just went down in this chapter. However, you won't be getting much of an answer from me. The only thing I'll say is that the dialogue Yugo said in bold is from a different person (it's pretty obvious who it is if you watched the show). As for the person who possessed Yuuji for a bit (I didn't make it bold just to make it easier to tell that there were two different people talking), you'll have to wait to learn more about that.
This chapter is definitely one that you might have to read twice to digest fully, and I'm sorry about that. What happened in the show wasn't any less confusing either.
This chapter also makes Yuuji's third loss (yes, even though I said it was a win in the chapter, I'm still counting Yuuji's duel against Shun as a loss). And for once, an actual consequence. I was honestly planning to keep Yuto alive, at least a while longer, but remembered that there would be way too many characters in the main cast that I would have to worry about consistently. However, Yuto will still be getting much more screen time than the source material, since I plan on expanding on the possession mechanic of the Zarc Counterparts more (like he did in his duel against Serena and Ruri during the Fusion Dimension Arc).
(I also just wanted to write Berserk Yuya scenes in this fic, and you can't really get the full Berserk Yuya experience without Yuto being within him).
That's all I wanted to say. Thanks for reading.